Twins seek judicial review over Climate Camp search
Comments |
by Jenni Horn
jhorn@thekmgroup.co.uk
Two children who were stopped and searched at last year's
Climate Camp in Hoo, have won the right to take Kent Police to the
High Court.
The 11-year-old twins, who cannot be named, and Dave Morris, who
also attended the camp last August, have secured the right for a
full judicial review hearing, to look at whether the grounds for
the searches they underwent when trying to enter the camp, were
unlawful.
The basis for this argument is that the police officers
searching Dave Morris and the twins did not have reasonable grounds
to suspect them individually as required by law, but instead
systematically, repeatedly and unlawfully searched everyone
attending the Camp.
The judges presiding over the initial hearing on Wednesday,
ruled in the protestors favour for a full hearing.
The judicial review is likely to begin in the autumn.
David Bainsworth, from the Climate Camp legal team said: "In
securing a judicial review Climate Camp has ensured the police will
be held accountable for their bullyboy stop and search tactics.
"The relentless and systematic nature of the searches at
Kingsnorth can only be explained by a desire to intimidate and
deter people from visiting the Climate Camp. We are adamant that
intimidation tactics won't deter us and we demonstrated that not
just at the camp itself but also in court today."
Kent Police have faced heavy criticism over their policing of
the camp, which was set up to protest over plans for a new
coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth. Officers were involved from
26 forces around the UK, costing £5.9 million.
A review of the policing of last year's protest is being
carried out by the National Policing Improvement Agency
(NPIA). Kent Police have refused to comment until after the
judicial review.
Thursday, May 07 2009
The KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.